Former Port Vale and Gillingham captain Doug Loft has died at the age of 39, Gillingham confirmed in a statement. The club said Loft died following a medical emergency at the weekend.
Loft spent five years at Port Vale, joining in 2009 from Brighton & Hove Albion and going on to make 196 appearances for the club, scoring 19 goals. He was named the club’s player of the season for 2011-12 and appointed captain, leading Vale to automatic promotion from League Two before leaving in 2014 to move back south with his family.
Port Vale paid tribute to a player they said would be remembered for more than his performances. “He will be remembered fondly by everyone at the club, not only for his achievements on the pitch but for the commitment and leadership he showed throughout his time in Burslem,” a club statement said. “The thoughts and heartfelt condolences of everyone at Port Vale are with Doug’s family, friends, former team-mates and all those who knew him, at this incredibly sad time.” The club added that, with the blessing of Loft’s family, it had requested permission from the EFL for its players to wear black armbands and for a minute’s silence to be held before kick-off at this weekend’s game against Chesterfield.
Loft had begun his career at non-League Hastings United before signing for Brighton in January 2006, just after his 20th birthday. He made three Championship appearances for the Seagulls, scoring once, and added a further 46 appearances in League One. He moved to Gillingham in 2014 and was also made captain there, spending two seasons in League One at Priestfield. Gillingham’s statement read: “Our thoughts and condolences are with Doug’s wife Laura, their children Freya and Amelie, along with his friends and family at this very difficult time.”
Micky Adams, who worked with Loft at Brighton and later signed him for Port Vale, said no one could have been prouder to captain the club, and that he did so with enthusiasm and endeavour. Loft also had spells at Colchester United, Shrewsbury Town, Dagenham & Redbridge, Billericay Town and Tonbridge Angels.